Florida State Parks has announced the winners of its 2025 Capture the Real Florida Photo Contest. The annual competition recognized outstanding photographs in five categories: Landscapes, Waterscapes, Wildlife, Park Adventures, and Historic Encounters—a new category introduced this year to mark America’s 250th anniversary.
Thousands of entries were submitted from across Florida, highlighting the state’s parks, wildlife, and historical sites. Grand Prize winners include Shane Carrol for “Not Alone” at Olustee Battlefield Historic State Park (Landscapes), Dawn Campbell for “Early Dawn” at Silver Springs State Park (Waterscapes), Michelle Huguet for “Eyes of the Forest” at Myakka River State Park (Wildlife), Heather Bossowski for “A Camp Sunrise at Gamble Rogers” at Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area (Park Adventures), and Valleri Ames for “Echoes of Bulow Plantation” at Bulow Plantation Ruins Historic State Park (Historic Encounters).
“Every year, our visitors capture breathtaking moments that remind us why our state parks are among the most treasured places in the country,” said Chuck Hatcher, Director of Florida State Parks. “Thank you to everyone who shared their images. I invite all Floridians to get out and discover our state parks and maybe even grab that perfect shot.”
The winning photos—including Grand Prize, Runner-Up, and People’s Choice selections—are available on the contest’s official webpage. Each Grand Prize winner received a $1,000 B&H Photo gift card, a Florida State Parks Annual Pass, a stand-up paddleboard, and a hammock.
Starting this month, these photographs will be displayed at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park during its Winter Waterland celebration.
The photo contest is held in partnership with Tyler Technologies, which manages reservations for overnight stays in Florida’s state parks.
Photographers interested in participating next year can begin capturing park moments starting January 1, 2026. The submission portal will open in November 2026.
Florida boasts 175 award-winning state parks, trails and historic sites covering more than 815,000 acres with over 101 miles of beaches and more than 3,024 miles of multi-use trails. The Florida Park Service has been recognized four times with National Gold Medals for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management by national organizations. More information about visiting or participating can be found on www.FloridaStateParks.org.
For additional details: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/FLDEP/bulletins/3fe6d71
